Am I a "Writer"?
Anyone who writes knows the party drill: When asked what you do, how do you answer? Do you bravely say, "I am a writer"? Or do you hem and haw, like most of us? It took me years to be able to place my writing on the same platform as my editing, and answer, "I'm an editor and a writer." Still, I place it second.
Stuart Horwitz gives a fabulous, funny look into the definitions of all sorts of writing-related words, including "success, fans, novel." Read it at the Grub St. Daily: http://grubdaily.org/?p=4342&utm_...
Stuart Horwitz gives a fabulous, funny look into the definitions of all sorts of writing-related words, including "success, fans, novel." Read it at the Grub St. Daily: http://grubdaily.org/?p=4342&utm_...
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Good point :-), though I think when we want to give a serious answer to the right company, it takes practice and self-confidence to announce we do something in the arts for a living. I think also that this culture doesn't value the arts as much some others do. Another source for the hesitation.
In India, a new breed of writers are cropping up. Some are good and are backed by great publishing houses which are equipped with good editors. Other writers are imaginative, but unfortunately are not good 'writers' and do not have the backing of good editors. So you see tons of books emerging everyday, not all of which are 'readable'. In this context, announcing - "I am a writer!" before you are published denotes you are either supremely brave/self confident/care a damn about what other people say or an absolute nitwit. In addition to holding a day job, I am a columnist in a financial daily, I am yet to get down to writing my book of short stories, maybe just maybe someday I shall announce at a party: "I am a writer." AMEN.
Lubna, thanks so much for adding to the discussion and giving us a glimpse into publication in India. I think the same goes for here as well. However, does writing a good book versus a bad one make one a writer??? Not sure...a good topic and food for thought.And as a columnist for a daily, I most certainly would call you a writer :-). AMEN.
Maybe I've just been frustrated lately, but I don't mention my writing so often anymore. I barely get my own family or friends to acknowledge that while I have a paying job, writing is what I "do." Most still think of it as a quaint, old fashioned hobby, that even on my blog, I describe myself as "a teacher and writer living in North Texas." The writer part gets second billing, even on a blog.I don't know if that makes me insecure or just tired of dealing with it.
I go through that too sometimes. Saying you are a writer is so loaded, and brings out a lot of personal issues in the people who hear it. Some of them are frustrated writers themselves (many want to write that novel). I agree, sometimes it's best to keep it to yourself, depending on the audience. But nothing wrong with putting it first or second. We are stuck on rankings in this culture.
Michael wrote: "Maybe I've just been frustrated lately, but I don't mention my writing so often anymore. I barely get my own family or friends to acknowledge that while I have a paying job, writing is what I "do."..."As my own "day job" (which I am lucky enough to love) takes the lion's share of my time and energy and writing gets the crumbs, I can relate. I find it is critically important to build a support group of like-minded fellow writers who also honor the pursuit, and accept that everyone works at their own pace. They remind me of what I am, and when I'm in their company (usually at Room to Write, a "study hall for writers" I cohost twice a month), I don't need to say it.
I'm just saying, not declaring is not always motivated by insecurity!